In this episode, Jim Mayer interviews Sean Dobbs, Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations at the Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. Sean shares his inspiring journey from losing his vision at a young age to becoming a leader in talent acquisition and advocacy for people who are blind. The Lighthouse for the Blind empowers individuals with disabilities by creating diverse and meaningful employment opportunities. Sean discusses the challenges and successes of training blind individuals for manufacturing jobs and the importance of continuous improvement and career development. Overall, this conversation highlights the power of resilience, empathy, and inclusion in creating a more inclusive and diverse workforce. In this conversation, Shawn Dobbs, the Vice President of Marketing and Development at the Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, shares the impact of the organization on people's lives. He emphasizes the importance of creating a culture of support and opportunity, where everyone can thrive. Shawn discusses his leadership philosophy, which focuses on helping others succeed and creating a positive and inclusive environment. He reflects on the evolution of his leadership style and the lessons he has learned. Shawn also highlights the significance of empathy in talent acquisition and building a strong organizational culture. He shares his goals for the Lighthouse and the opportunities they aim to provide for people who are blind. Additionally, Shawn talks about his passion for outdoor cooking and stand-up comedy.   Takeaways Creating a culture of support and opportunity is crucial for individuals to thrive and for organizations to succeed. Leadership is about helping others succeed and creating a positive and inclusive environment. Empathy plays a crucial role in talent acquisition and building a strong organizational culture. Setting goals and continuously evolving as a leader is important for personal and professional growth. Chapters Shaun's Journey (00:00:01) Shaun's journey from childhood challenges to professional success. Professional Growth (00:01:15) Shaun's career progression and passion for vocational readiness. Diverse Passions (00:02:32) Shaun's impact beyond professional achievements, including stand-up comedy and outdoor cooking. Introduction and Warm Welcome (00:03:09) The podcast host's warm welcome and introduction to the conversation. Early Life and School Experience (00:04:25) Shaun's experiences at the Indiana School for the Blind and the challenges he faced. Challenges in the Workplace (00:07:01) Shaun's early work experience at McDonald's and the challenges he encountered as a blind employee. College and Career Development (00:08:37) Shaun's college experience, fraternity involvement, and career development. Impactful Work Experience (00:10:22) Shaun's pragmatic approach to job hunting and impactful experiences in various roles. Mission of the Lighthouse (00:14:16) An overview of the Lighthouse for the Blind Inc.'s mission and employment statistics. Organization's Services (00:16:46) Details about the services and programs provided by the Lighthouse for the Blind Inc. Bold Thinking and Impact (00:17:43) The organization's commitment to bold thinking and creating employment opportunities for people who are blind. Historical Background and Manufacturing (00:18:13) The historical evolution of the organization and its current manufacturing capabilities. Recruitment and Training (00:20:15) Challenges in recruiting blind and low vision individuals and the training process for manufacturing roles. Career Development and Accommodations (00:23:21) Strategies for career development, continuous improvement, and accommodations for employees with vision loss. The timestamp's title (time it starts) short description, with max 20 words, of what is covered in this topic. Leadership Philosophy and Empathy (00:25:50) Discussion on leadership philosophy, empathy, and creating